To The Moon and Back

To The Moon and Back by Dianne Bates (Big Sky Publishing)

PB RRP 14.99

IBSN 9781925520293

Reviewed by Kate Simpson

To The Moon and Back is a touching, often sad, but ultimately heart-warming book about adjusting to parental separation. Eight year-old Claire is caught unawares when her mother suddenly uproots her from all that she has known and whisks her off to a new house, a new life and, for Claire’s mother, a new boyfriend. Each time Claire feels that she is adapting to her new circumstances, life seems to throw something else in her way.

Although Claire, the protagonist, is 8, the book is more suited to a slightly older readership if it is to be read independently. For readers in the 8 to 9-year-old range, this could make an excellent story for parents and children to read together. Dianne Bates deals sensitively with the difficult subject matter, which includes brief references to domestic violence. Her characters are well drawn and wholly relatable, creating a moving middle-grade novel for readers who enjoy realistic fiction.

Cody and the Fountain of Happiness

Cody and the Fountain of Happiness by Tricia Springstubb, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler (Walker Books)

RRP $ 14.99

ISBN 9780763687533

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Cody is a curious and questioning child who loves activity, the universe, and the habits of ants. It’s the first day of summer holidays. Camp is a week away, and boredom has already set in.

Cody meets Spencer, a timid and shy boy staying at his Grandma’s around the corner while his parents are on holiday. He is beside himself with anxiety as he has lost Grandma’s cat, MewMew. Cody is more than willing to help him look for it. 

Things begin happening everywhere around them. They find the cat and start a friendship. Cody’s mum gets a promotion at the shoe shop where she works. Dad, a truckie, has left on a long haul. Wyatt, her super-smart elder brother, is nearly run over by his secret love Payton on her bike. Then Cody is told that Summer Camp is cancelled due to a discovery of toxic chemicals on the property.

To settle Spencer’s fears that the cat will run away again, Cody offers to hypnotize it so it will stay close. This leads to the thought that if a cat can be hypnotized, can Payton be hypnotized to care for Wyatt? When Payton kid sits Cody, she is shown another side to Wyatt by his shrewd sister.

Cody and Spencer’s friendship is by now cemented. She is his protector and he is her impulse stabiliser.

This illustrated chapter book for the 8+ year age group is humorous and clever. Its sequence of events entertains while the dialogue, full of wisdom and warmth, wraps the reader in contentment.

Themes of family unity, the importance of friendship, and thinking before you speak or act, are subtly threaded through the story. There are lots of different situations that weave into one another with the main attention being on Cody’s zest for life and being occupied, and her interest in all living things.

Black and white illustrations visually enhance the story and highlight the entertaining characters. This story is ideal for reluctant readers of both genders. Its issues are evenly divided to incorporate all of the characters in the book and their dilemmas.

Panther

Panther by David Owen (Corsair 2015)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN: 9781472116420

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

Panther by UK author David Owen is a brave and honest portrayal of the impact of depression on a family through the eyes of teenage protagonist, Derrick.

We first meet Derrick in a dark alley. He’s rummaging through garbage bags in search of junk food disposed of days before, which he intends to eat for comfort and punishment.

We soon learn that his sister’s depression is causing Derrick’s world to crumble around him. He’s bullied, he’s lonely and his family is being consumed. He blames himself and sees it as his responsibility to find a way back to the life that existed before the depression took over.

A panther rumoured to be roaming Derrick’s south London suburb becomes his obsession. He sets out to catch the beast, convinced that doing so will ‘fix’ his sister and restore normality. But does the mysterious panther even exist, or is it a metaphor for depression itself?

Derrick’s misguided, sometimes disturbing behaviour, can make it difficult to like him. His humour contradicts an often grim reality as he struggles to come to terms with his sister’s illness.

In his debut novel, Owen shares his unique perspective as both an observer and a sufferer of depression, shining a light on the impact of mental illness for all involved.

With Beyond Blue reporting that one in sixteen young Australians currently experience depression and one in four a mental health condition, novels such as Panther present a significant opportunity to stimulate discussion and foster understanding for sufferers and loved ones alike.

Suitable for a young adult and adult readership. 

Juvie

Juvie by Steve Watkins (Walker Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 9781406358629

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Sadie is part of a fragmented family. Her father lives alone shut away from the world in her grandmother’s house with his hoarded collection of newspapers. He neither speaks nor opens the door. Her mother works two jobs to make ends meet.

Her sister Carla, a single mother, lives a decadent life. When she becomes involved with drug dealers one night while drunk and out of it, her last chance of staying out of jail vanishes. She stands to lose her child as well. The thing is that Sadie is with her.

Sadie envisions her family life disintegrating entirely and her niece in care. There is only one decision that will save them all. That is to take the blame for Carla. But instead of community service for a first offence, she gets time in Juvie.

In Juvie, Sadie is allowed to have nothing at all. It makes her feels like she is nothing too. No one is what they seem. Can Sadie survive the choices she made?

Can this be the awakening that Carla needs to finally leave the drugs and drinking alone and improve hers and her daughter’s life? Or has Sadie’s sacrifice been for nothing.

This is a well-written book with an interesting storyline full of conflicts and challenges for its characters. We are the choices we make and this book is an example of exactly that. Strong prose and lots of action keep the pages turning. Themes of family unity, forgiveness, love and sacrifice are juxtaposed with those of irresponsible actions and their cost, to create a riveting read for young adults.